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Cruelty to Australian sheep being assessed

The federal government says it is assessing claims Australian sheep are being mistreated and brutally slaughtered at a livestock market in Kuwait.

Animals Australia says the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has taken too long to respond to the allegations.

The animal welfare group, which was instrumental in exposing cruelty towards Australian cattle in Indonesia in 2011, first reported serious breaches of the federal government's Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) at Kuwait's Al Rai market in August, and followed up with a second formal complaint last week.

On Monday, DAFF said it was assessing information provided by Animals Australia.

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"Should DAFF determine there is a basis to the allegations, it will proceed with a full investigation," the department said.

DAFF said it was investigating a similar complaint received in August 2012.

"As with any investigation, it will take as long as needed to ensure all information is thoroughly examined and a regulatory response is made proportionate to the findings.

"Findings will be made public once this investigation is complete."

Animals Australia campaign director Lyn White said that since August, thousands of merinos had been sent to the Al Rai market, where they were not only being slaughtered without being stunned, but were also being handled and transported inhumanely.

Many of the sheep were being kept in outdoor pens with no access to shade, food or water, while those indoors were in complete darkness.

"We were shocked to see that the number of merchants selling Australian sheep at this cruel market has only increased," Ms White said.

"The only notable change since the previous complaint in 2012 is that Australian sheep are now having their ear tags ripped out in what we can only assume is a deliberate attempt to rort the system."

Separately on Monday, the WA Farmers Federation said it wanted the state government's assistance to streamline the ESCAS process and make its implementation cheaper for farmers.